“Tidbits From TNT” Tuesday 1-13-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Trade: 15 Memoranda of Understanding and a number of agreements to be signed with Morocco next month
The Ministry of Trade announced on Sunday that a preparatory meeting of the Iraqi-Moroccan Joint Committee was held to discuss the signing of fifteen memoranda of understanding and several agreements during the committee's meetings in Baghdad on February 18-19.
The ministry stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the Iraqi-Moroccan Joint Committee held its preparatory meeting in Baghdad, chaired by the Iraqi Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Administrative Undersecretary of the Ministry of Trade, Sattar al-Jabri, in preparation for the joint committee meetings scheduled to be held in Baghdad on February 18-19."
The statement added that "the meeting discussed the Iraqi side's report on preparations for the upcoming meeting with the Moroccan side, with the participation of representatives from relevant ministries and government agencies, as well as representatives from the private sector."
It continued, "The meeting addressed approximately fifteen memoranda of understanding and several agreements slated for signing with the Moroccan side during the joint committee meetings, which will contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields."
The statement indicated "the Iraqi side's keenness to open up broader horizons for joint cooperation and build strategic partnerships, as well as to sign memoranda of understanding that serve the mutual interests of the two brotherly countries, which are united by solid diplomatic relations and important economic and developmental commonalities." link
Tishwash: Government advisor: The price of a barrel of oil in the 2026 budget is between $55 and $62.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, predicted on Monday that the average price of a barrel of oil in the 2026 budget would range between $55 and $62, noting that these estimates are subject to change due to several factors.
Saleh said that “global forecasts, based on OPEC analyses and the context of the global oil market, as well as estimates from a number of international financial institutions, indicate that the average price of a barrel of global oil (Brent crude) expected for 2026 may move within an approximate range of between $55 and $62 per barrel, with an average tendency of approximately $61 in a considerable number of market estimates.”
He pointed out that "these estimates are based on market analyses and informal research related to OPEC forecasts and supply and demand balances in the global economy, and do not represent an official price figure announced by the organization."
He added that "these estimates remain subject to change depending on a number of influencing factors, most notably developments in geopolitical conflicts, changes in the pace of global energy demand growth, production policy decisions within the framework of 'OPEC+', as well as the accelerating shift towards renewable energy and climate policies." link
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Tishwash: Sudani meets with Oliver Wyman to discuss debt rescheduling and improving borrowing costs.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed debt rescheduling and improving borrowing costs during a meeting he held with representatives of the financial auditing firms "Oliver" and "Wyman," in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, and a number of financial and economic advisors.
A statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a copy of which was received by Al-Jabal, stated: “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting today, Monday, dedicated to discussing financial organization, scheduling, and management of public debt, both external and internal, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, a number of financial and economic advisors, as well as representatives of the global financial auditing firm Oliver Wyman.”
The statement added, "The meeting witnessed a comprehensive and detailed presentation of the plans and programs adopted in scheduling public debts, and the priorities of financial treatments, in accordance with the most appropriate reform steps, and scientific paths based on similar successful global experiences, taking into account the particularity of the Iraqi experience and relying on developing the strong and reliable characteristics of the Iraqi economy."
During the meeting, according to the statement, Al-Sudani pointed to "the government's completion of the financial and economic reform process, and the benefit of the expertise of major international companies in scheduling public debts, both local and foreign, and the importance of adopting medium-term strategies in accordance with the nature of the debts, the credit rating and global indicators in this field, with the importance of emphasizing the development of budgets based on a realistic assessment of the availability of financing and the ability to implement."
The statement continued, “Al-Sudani also stressed the need to achieve the desired benefits from public debt management and employ them within the framework of promoting economic growth, easing pressure on the national currency, improving borrowing costs, and maintaining the financial reputation of the Iraqi economy and its strengths, while emphasizing the stages of diagnosis, improvement, and developing successful strategies for implementation within the steps of managing and scheduling public debt, in line with long-term economic reform.”
The statement concluded, "Al-Sudani directed the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, and financial advisors to continue communicating and following up with Oliver Wyman in order to develop the best executive formulas and financial mechanisms for dealing with public debt, within the framework of sound financial indicators that contribute to the goal of developing the Iraqi economy." link
Mot: Seeeeeeeeeeeeee -- Told Ya So!!!!!
Mot: .. Just aDriving down the road!!!!
